CoffeeGeek - Coffee: Machines and Brewing Methods, Bonavita BV1800TH and Baratza Encore grind settings starting point

Coffee: Machines and Brewing Methods
Bonavita BV1800TH and Baratza Encore grind settings starting point

Italian Coffee

Italian coffee beans, grinds and pods from Kimbo, LavAzza, Miscela d'Oro & Bristot. Qty. discounts!
www.espressozone.com

Not Logged in:

updated topics	new posts	new unanswered
search	faq	sign up

Discussions > Coffee > Machines > Bonavita...

view previous topic | view next topic | view all topics

showing page 1 of 2

last page

Author

Messages

jbrady3324
Senior Member

Joined: 2 Jan 2012
Posts: 17
Location: Arlington, VA
Expertise: I love coffee

Posted Wed Feb 27, 2013, 3:27pm Subject: Bonavita BV1800TH and Baratza Encore grind settings starting point

Can anyone provide a starting point for grinder settings for this combination? I will be using a swiss gold filter and brown paper filters depending on my mood. My understanding is the gold filter requires a coarser grind I am very familiar with brewing espresso with my gaggia classic and I have that dialed in perfectly. How do I tell if my coffee is brewing correctly? Time+taste as a starting point similar to espresso?

Lee_M
Senior Member

Joined: 2 Dec 2012
Posts: 42
Location: Los Angeles
Expertise: I live coffee

Grinder: Baratza Encore
Drip: V60
Roaster: Popper

Posted Thu Feb 28, 2013, 9:48am Subject: Re: Bonavita BV1800TH and Baratza Encore grind settings starting point

On my Encore I'm usually in the 11-13 range for drip. Your grinder might be slightly different, though. More importantly, you should taste the coffee and judge whether it's over or underextracted, just as you would for espresso. The gold filter will only require a coarser grind if you're getting an unacceptable amount of sediment.

jbrady3324
Senior Member

Joined: 2 Jan 2012
Posts: 17
Location: Arlington, VA
Expertise: I love coffee

Posted Thu Feb 28, 2013, 11:24am
Subject: Re: Bonavita BV1800TH and Baratza Encore grind settings starting point

Lee_M Said:

On my Encore I'm usually in the 11-13 range for drip. Your grinder might be slightly different, though. More importantly, you should taste the coffee and judge whether it's over or underextracted, just as you would for espresso. The gold filter will only require a coarser grind if you're getting an unacceptable amount of sediment.

Posted February 28, 2013 link

11-13 seems low? I believe the encore instructions state 15+ is for drip. I did a brew at #20 today and it was a little watery so going lower does make sense.

msboo
Senior Member

Joined: 10 Nov 2012
Posts: 105
Location: Kentucky
Expertise: I love coffee

Grinder: Baratza Virtuoso
Drip: Bonavita

Posted Fri Mar 1, 2013, 10:43am Subject: Re: Bonavita BV1800TH and Baratza Encore grind settings starting point

I just got a Virtuoso and also have a Bonavita (using paper filters). Even with the differences in Encore and Virtuoso, I'm having the same experience. I started out on 20, 18 was better BUT need to go lower. I'm starting to wonder IF my grinder was properly calibrated at the factory. I can still go finer but wonder.

Lee_M
Senior Member

Joined: 2 Dec 2012
Posts: 42
Location: Los Angeles
Expertise: I live coffee

Grinder: Baratza Encore
Drip: V60
Roaster: Popper

Posted Fri Mar 1, 2013, 1:11pm Subject: Re: Bonavita BV1800TH and Baratza Encore grind settings starting point

It's possible that my grinder is mis-calibrated. However, it's been my experience that anything over 14 leads to very fast drainage times. I'd suggest trying grinding finer and finer until you start getting harsh bitterness, then taking it back a notch or two.

jbrady3324
Senior Member

Joined: 2 Jan 2012
Posts: 17
Location: Arlington, VA
Expertise: I love coffee

Posted Fri Mar 1, 2013, 2:08pm
Subject: Re: Bonavita BV1800TH and Baratza Encore grind settings starting point

msboo Said:

I just got a Virtuoso and also have a Bonavita (using paper filters). Even with the differences in Encore and Virtuoso, I'm having the same experience. I started out on 20, 18 was better BUT need to go lower. I'm starting to wonder IF my grinder was properly calibrated at the factory. I can still go finer but wonder.

Posted March 1, 2013 link

I think we are definitely in the same boat, but I think Lee might be right. I grinded at 13 today and the coffee was much better than 20. A tad bitter, so maybe 14 is my sweet spot. Luckily I get my intelligentsia coffee whole sale, so I am going to do some experimenting this weekend, but I think Lee's range is right. I think... I did not time the brew.. I should have.

msboo
Senior Member

Joined: 10 Nov 2012
Posts: 105
Location: Kentucky
Expertise: I love coffee

Grinder: Baratza Virtuoso
Drip: Bonavita

Posted Fri Mar 1, 2013, 6:39pm Subject: Re: Bonavita BV1800TH and Baratza Encore grind settings starting point

I need to order some coffee from Intelligentsia. Was in Fresh Market yesterday and saw 2-3 different varieties from Intelligentsia on the shelf, along with some Counter Culture. Was surprised and wanted to buy so I checked the roast dates---all were little over a month old (past roast date) so I passed. I then saw a store clerk pouring a large bag of beans into one of several bins of beans sold as their store brand roasted coffee beans. Curious (but not interested in bins o'beans), I asked her who did their roasting--she didn't know but was more than glad to inquire for me. Fews minutes later she told me they couldn't reveal the roaster, that it was confidential. Just wish the Intelligentsia and Counter Culture had been fresh. I'll be messing around with my grind settings this weekend as well. I'm so thankful for others' comments, very helpful. This forum is kinda like a Coffee Gear Therapy group. When frustrated you know you're not alone. Happy Grinding, Becky

msboo
Senior Member

Joined: 10 Nov 2012
Posts: 105
Location: Kentucky
Expertise: I love coffee

Grinder: Baratza Virtuoso
Drip: Bonavita

Posted Sat Mar 2, 2013, 11:19am Subject: Re: Bonavita BV1800TH and Baratza Encore grind settings starting point

Grind setting 16 (Virtuoso) was better this morning. Next pot will try grind @ 15, see how that goes.

jbrady3324
Senior Member

Joined: 2 Jan 2012
Posts: 17
Location: Arlington, VA
Expertise: I love coffee

Posted Sat Mar 2, 2013, 2:02pm Subject: Re: Bonavita BV1800TH and Baratza Encore grind settings starting point

I tried 14 today and I think that is the sweet spot for me. Now I need to figure out what is best for french press

msboo
Senior Member

Joined: 10 Nov 2012
Posts: 105
Location: Kentucky
Expertise: I love coffee

Grinder: Baratza Virtuoso
Drip: Bonavita

Posted Mon Mar 4, 2013, 9:39am Subject: Re: Bonavita BV1800TH and Baratza Encore grind settings starting point

Well 15 was bitter so 16 is my drip setting. JBrady.... when I get a Clever Dripper I'll be trying to find a good coarse setting too, like for French Press.

showing page 1 of 2

last page

view previous topic | view next topic | view all topics

Discussions > Coffee > Machines > Bonavita...

updated topics

new posts

new unanswered

faq

Not Logged in: log in
Discussions Quick Jump:
Symbols: = New Posts since your last visit = No New Posts since last visit = Newest post

Forum Rules:
No profanity, illegal acts or personal attacks will be tolerated in these discussion boards.
No commercial posting of any nature will be tolerated; only private sales by private individuals, in the "Buy and Sell" forum.
No cross posting allowed - do not post your topic to more than one forum, nor repost a topic to the same forum.
Who Can Read The Forum? Anyone can read posts in these discussion boards.
Who Can Post New Topics? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post new topics.
Who Can Post Replies? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post replies.
Can Photos be posted? Anyone can post photos in their new topics or replies.
Who can change or delete posts? Any CoffeeGeek member can edit their own posts. Only moderators can delete posts.
Probationary Period: If you are a new signup for CoffeeGeek, you cannot promote, endorse, criticise or otherwise post an unsolicited endorsement for any company, product or service in your first five postings.

Commercial Equipment

Nuova Simonelli, La Marzocco, Rancilio. Nationwide installation. Instant financing options.
www.seattlecoffeegear.com